Top of the World Lounge Question

[AMusicLifeForMe]

I'm staying at OKW Villas next week, and I would like to check out the Top of the World Lounge for the first time at BLT. How soon would you recommend getting there before the HalloWishes Fireworks? I know it opens at 6 p.m, but I don't really want to wait 4 hours for the firework show. Also, is there a dress code for the lounge?

 

[cedricandsophie]

There's no dress code. I'd suggest an hour or even 30 minutes before. Get a drink and a spot by the wall. The times we have been there wasn't a huge crowd.

 

[Barbydoll8]

Agree w/ previous poster. No more than an hour unless you want to eat/drink in the lounge. Bring your magic bands, ID and DVC card.

 

[DenLo]

Parking at BLT is not guaranteed to be available for members going to the TOTWL so you might need to park at the TTC and take the monorail around to BLT so that would add on 15 to 30 minutes. Or you could bus to MK and walk over to BLT or take the resort monorail.

Top of the World Lounge

Disney Vacation Club Members staying at any Disney-owned-and-operated hotel at Walt Disney World Resort (whether they booked with Vacation Points or cash) may enjoy access to one of the vacation kingdom's most exclusive spaces: Top of the World Lounge atop Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort through December 29, 2016.

Blockout dates apply for Top of the World Lounge, including but not limited to: December 30, 2015; December 31, 2015; July 3, 2016; July 4, 2016; December 30, 2016; December 31, 2016. Current operating hours are 6:00 PM to midnight.


Accessing the Lounge

This perk is available exclusively to Members. People who are in that Member’s traveling party and staying on that Member’s reservation are also eligible to visit Top of the World Lounge. At least one Member in the traveling party must accompany the group and present his or her current MagicBand or Key to the World card with a Disney Vacation Club Membership notation in order to gain admission to the lounge and observation deck. If the Member's MagicBand or Key to the World card doesn't display a Membership notation, a Disney Vacation Club Membership Card is also required to verify Membership.


Parking & Transportation

Parking is only available to those staying at Bay Lake Tower or Disney's Contemporary Resort. Members traveling from other Resorts must use Walt Disney World Transportation.


Sign In

Upon arrival, Members must walk to the Bay Lake Tower main lobby entrance on the ground floor and check in at the Top of the World Lounge desk in the lobby.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We drove on Sept 10 because we had a 7:30 ADR at the Wave. I have TIW which gives 3 hours valet parking. Fireworks were at 9. The lounge was pretty crowded, but a nice family moved over for us. It was a new experience for my 2 friends, very enjoyable!!

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

Thanks everyone for the replies! I'll be eating at Flying Fish that night at 5 and then plan on heading over to BLT after that. That should get us there about 3 hours before the fireworks, but it would be nice to enjoy a couple drinks/appetizers up there. Is it an enjoyable experience to stay that long?

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thanks everyone for the replies! I'll be eating at Flying Fish that night at 5 and then plan on heading over to BLT after that. That should get us there about 3 hours before the fireworks, but it would be nice to enjoy a couple drinks/appetizers up there. Is it an enjoyable experience to stay that long?

I have never stayed there for 3 hours, 2 was the most, but with friends it went quickly. For sure we meet Disboard people there the night before Member Cruises that are out of Port Canaveral. Planning a meet there for next year!

 

[fishermouse]

love it there have fun

 

[DenLo]

Thanks everyone for the replies! I'll be eating at Flying Fish that night at 5 and then plan on heading over to BLT after that. That should get us there about 3 hours before the fireworks, but it would be nice to enjoy a couple drinks/appetizers up there. Is it an enjoyable experience to stay that long?

It will really depend on where you are sitting. The tables are all bar height now, I find that a struggle to sit in those chairs. But the sofas and chairs around coffee tables are still easy sit that long. There might not be that much happening for three hours though. Most guests don't show up until around 7:00 for drinks before dinner and the those that come 30 minutes before the fireworks.

 

[gmboy95]

I would definetly either park at the TTC and monorail it....or take the bust to MK and simply walk over...maybe take an uber home to avoid post fireworks crowds

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

I would like to thank everyone for your insight on this thread. My Dad and I really enjoyed the Top of the World Lounge (even if I couldn't finish the cake lol)! Great view of the fireworks especially since it was a party night and the MK had the 180-degree fireworks. It was spectacular up there. We will definitely return in December to see the Christmas Fireworks from there!

 

[js]

Hi. Can anyone please let me know if I can go to TOTW between December 26-December 31. Guessing not December 31 but how about the other days.

Thanks so much!

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

Hi. Can anyone please let me know if I can go to TOTW between December 26-December 31. Guessing not December 31 but how about the other days.

Thanks so much!

It's blacked out on the 30th and 31st. I'll be there during that time, and I plan on going up there to see the MK Christmas Fireworks. The reason why it's blacked out those days is the MK does their New Years Eve Fireworks those days, and it's only for people staying at Bay Lake Tower.

 

[bobbiwoz]

It's blacked out on the 30th and 31st. I'll be there during that time, and I plan on going up there to see the MK Christmas Fireworks. The reason why it's blacked out those days is the MK does their New Years Eve Fireworks those days, and it's only for people staying at Bay Lake Tower.

We'll be there on the 30!

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

We'll be there on the 30!

Have fun. I'll be inside the MK.

 

[js]

Have fun. I'll be inside the MK.

So will we! My family will be there for RD leave about 11:30 am/12 pm, and head back to get there about 9ish. They want to stay until 2 am. I dont doubt my 22 and 18 year old wont have any problems withh this but my dh and I will need to suck it up lol

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

So will we! My family will be there for RD leave about 11:30 am/12 pm, and head back to get there about 9ish. They want to stay until 2 am. I dont doubt my 22 and 18 year old wont have any problems withh this but my dh and I will need to suck it up lol

Even though I have never been for December 30th and New Years Eve, I would like to advise that there is a high chance that the Magic Kingdom will close to capacity these two days. That's what I have heard and have also seen on these boards. If you leave the Magic Kingdom in the middle of the day, there is a chance you won't be let back in.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Last year we went to the TOTW lounge for both Dec 30 and 31. They were different experiences. It was much more crowded on the 31st, and they were even selling drinks outside in the viewing area.

 

[supersnoop]

Even though I have never been for December 30th and New Years Eve, I would like to advise that there is a high chance that the Magic Kingdom will close to capacity these two days. That's what I have heard and have also seen on these boards. If you leave the Magic Kingdom in the middle of the day, there is a chance you won't be let back in.

The Magic Kingdom hasn't reached a phase 4 closure in the past five years; not since they opened New Fantasyland, which added capacity for about 20,000 more people. It will be crowded, but I doubt it will close to everyone.

 

[bom_noite]

Parking at BLT is not guaranteed to be available for members going to the TOTWL so you might need to park at the TTC and take the monorail around to BLT so that would add on 15 to 30 minutes. Or you could bus to MK and walk over to BLT or take the resort monorail.

Ok, I have been beaten up on this in the past - I am fully prepared to be beaten up again:

• We have driven to the Lounge to watch fireworks over a dozen times. Low peak / Medium peak / High peak and were just honest with the guards our intentions and never got turned away.
• When we go here I instruct my crew that lets park out so not to disturb the members.
• We always arrive 2 hours out to go over to the Contemporary for shopping, a snack and maybe a few drinks.
• We usually order drinks in the bar and then head outside. Such a cool look over the lake and the property.

Like I said - I have posted on this before and gotten lambasted. The poster I quoted is correct - there is no guarantee to be allowed in. If there are tons of conventions - this rule may apply.

But, there are good rules and stupid rules. This rule may have been created because Disney has little faith in their guards to understand busy vs. not busy.

Regardless of the rules - I would tell you to drive over their. 98% chance you will be let in. Give it an hour or so in advance and tell the guard you plan to watch the fireworks and spend green money at the Lounge and at the Contemporary.

Let the haters hate - but when I plan to spend money and exercise an option granted to me by DVC after spending 40K on the product (over 15 years) I don't like to be told no. Regardless of Disney's stance. They have the right to say no - I have the right to drive their and ask politely.